On the go and no time to finish that story right now? Your News is the place for you to save content to read later from any device. Register with us and content you save will appear here so you can access them to read later.

"Many were predicting Hillary to become the first woman president of the United States. And there are probably a number of people who will be wondering 'what next?' But the public have spoken and it will be interesting to see if he will implement some of the policies he put forward during the campaign," he said.

Rotorua-based New Zealand First list MP Fletcher Tabuteau said he was amazed.

"I think we have to see what happens. Trump is an unknown quantity and we have to work with him. We have to make sure that we respect and can work with the new president of the United States of America," he said.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick was also shocked.

"I don't think anyone predicted this. It's that phenomena of the Brexit shock that's rolling through the world and it's amazing.

"I'm honestly shocked, I knew it would be really close. There's some compelling messages behind this. It's the working class rising up. A real surprise. I really did think I would be sitting back to watch a Clinton win, but the people have spoken."